Restaurants in Chianti

Panzano's famous opera-singing butcher, Dario Cecchini, brings his own meat, love of conviviality (large, shared tables are a feature), and Dantesque sense of humor to three celebrated (m-)eateries in the village -- any of which is worth the trip here on its own. Solociccia is right across from his butcher shop, at Via XX Luglio 11. As the name ("only flesh") suggests, this is not a place for vegetarians: Among the six meat courses, look out for ramarino in culo, "rosemary up the you-know-what," which are little peach-shaped balls of tartare impaled with a sprig of rosemary. Above the shop itself, the Officina della Bistecca is Dario's multicourse homage to all-things-cow, including the sacred bistecca alla Fiorentina, of course. The fixed menu costs 50€, including house wine, and sittings are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 1pm. In 2018, a second large space was opened. Both those spaces are home to Dario Doc, a faster food lunch-only restaurant with a similar, but cheaper, menu. The atmosphere at lunch is communal and fun, but the quality of the food is as serious as his two "grown'up" restaurants.For info on and reservations to all three go to www.dariocecchini.com.

In Greve, the Enoteca Bar Gallo Nero, Via C. Battisti 9 (http://http://enoristorantegallonero.it; tel. 055-853-734), is an excellent grill and pasta joint (order the affettati misti appetizer) popular with families -- and reasonably priced at 8€ to 12€ for primi, 8€ to 20€ for secondi. It's open Friday through Wednesday from noon to 10pm (closed Jan 6-31).